What are the tiny points in the ridge pattern of fingerprints that make them unique called?

The tiny points in the ridge pattern of fingerprints that contribute to their uniqueness are known as fingerprint minutiae. These minutiae refer to the various distinctive features found in a fingerprint, such as ridge endings, bifurcations, short ridges, and dots. Each person's fingerprint has a unique arrangement of these minutiae, making them vital for identification in forensic science and law enforcement.

The other choices do not accurately describe these unique features. Fingerprint ridges refer to the raised lines that create the overall pattern of the fingerprint but do not detail the specific points used for individual identification. Fingerprint impressions refer to the actual markings left by the ridges when a fingerprint is deposited on a surface, which again is more about the overall image than the unique traits. Fingerprint types categorize overall patterns (like loops, whorls, and arches) but do not focus on the minute details that distinguish one fingerprint from another. Thus, fingerprint minutiae is the correct terminology used in forensic analysis to refer specifically to those unique points within the ridge patterns.